Dec 29, 2009

meathead

I’ve eaten meat my entire life. Despite a prolonged resentment toward hamburgers (ages five through eighteen), I’ve never thought to eliminate it from my diet. In fact, during my years living with Anna, I often pressured my sweet vegetarian friend to ‘just try it.’


This is why I find it somewhat astonishing that about a month ago I became completely repulsed with the idea of meat. I’d like to say it was some kind of health kick or dramatic way to show my love for animals – but I can’t stand behind either reason. I don’t remember specifically when it started, just before Thanksgiving I think. Out of nowhere I would look at meat the way my dogs look at me when I put clothes on them. Utter disgust.

I mentioned this to Jen yesterday, my friend/health guru/personal trainer/life coach. She asked if I’d ever read about eating for my blood type. I hadn’t but was suddenly eager to find out if being AB+ was somehow behind my meat-hating.
Let’s dissect some of what I read at the official site:

Type AB reflects the mixed inheritance of their A and B genes. According to Dr. D’Adamo, “Type AB has Type A’s low stomach acid, however, they also have Type B’s adaptation to meats. Therefore, you lack enough stomach acid to metabolize them efficiently and the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. Your Type B propensities cause the same insulin reaction as Type B when you eat lima beans, corn, buckwheat, or sesame seeds.” Inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods. 

Type AB reflects the mixed inheritance of their A and B genes. According to Dr. D’Adamo, “Type AB has Type A’s low stomach acid, however, they also have Type B’s adaptation to meats. Therefore, you lack enough stomach acid to metabolize them efficiently and the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. Your Type B propensities cause the same insulin reaction as Type B when you eat lima beans, corn, buckwheat, or sesame seeds.” Inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods.


A little confusing, but maybe the fact that I can’t efficiently metabolize meat is part of the reason my body is turned off to it. Not to mention the fact that I’ve always been hypoglycemic and feel ill and get tunnel vision if I go too long without eating. So far, I’m a believer. Let’s continue:

Type AB should avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially when you’re in stressful situations. Dr. D’Adamo recommends that Type AB focus on foods such as tofu, seafood, dairy and green vegetables if you are trying to lose weight. “Avoid all smoked or cured meats. These foods can cause stomach cancer in people with low levels of stomach acid,” recommends Dr. D’Adamo. There is a wide variety of seafood for Type AB, and it is an excellent source of protein for Type AB. A few highly beneficial fish are mahi-mahi, red snapper, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Some dairy is also beneficial for Type AB – especially cultured dairy such as Yogurt and kefir.

 
Ok, does this Dr. D’Adamo know me? I don’t believe we’ve ever met, but this stuff sounds just like me. I’ve avoided caffeine for years and years. Any time I drink coffee or soda I feel sick. Redbull? Forget it. As for eating fish and cultured dairy, I love seafood and cottage cheese. One question, wtf is kefir?

 
Even though people have different capabilities for accommodating stress, we ultimately all have a breaking point. Given enough stressors of a high enough intensity for a long enough period of time, anyone will maladapt. For a Type AB, when it comes to stress hormones, you most resemble Type O in your tendency to overproduce catecholamines like adrenaline. Yet you also have the additional complexity of Type B’s rapid clearing of nitrous oxide, so you suffer the physical consequences of high emotions.

 
I vouch for that – I get sick when I get over-stressed. But doesn’t everyone? I’m starting to get confused.

 
Your greatest danger is the tendency to internalize your emotions, especially anger and hostility, which is much more damaging to your health than externalizing it. Exercise plays a critical component in stress reduction and maintaining a healthy emotional balance for Type AB. Dr. D’Adamo recommends a combination of both calming activities and more intense physical exercise to help maintain an optimal balance. For example, three days of aerobic exercise such as running or biking and two days of calming exercise such as yoga or tai chi.

And we’re back. This is totally me again. Exercise has always been a critical component of my life. I’m also guilty of internalizing too much.

Type AB often receives mixed messages about emotional health. While you tend to be drawn to other people and are friendly and trusting, there is a side of you that feels alienated from the larger community. At your best, you are intuitive and spiritual, with an ability to look beyond the rigid confines of society. You are passionate in your beliefs, but you also want to be liked by others and this can create conflicts. In an independent study, Type ABs described themselves as emotional, passionate, friendly, trusting and empathetic. Type ABs are considered some of the most interesting of the blood types, both John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe were Type ABs and although both are long gone, they hold a place in our national psyche to this day.

Just took the MBTI and assessments on trust and listening skills in my MBA program. This explanation matches closely with my results.

Whoa. Who knew blood type could play such a significant role in your daily life. I’ve honestly never thought twice about my blood type outside of donating blood. After this enlightening experience I did some more research and learned that not only is AB+ very rare – only three percent of Caucasians have it - but I’m able to receive donations from anyone. My blood can only go to others of my type though, I’m selective apparently.

I don’t think I’m going to start following a specific diet as a result of all this, and I can’t give up meat completely: wouldn’t get enough protein and too inconvenient…but it’s nice to know there’s potentially some rationale behind my herbivorous inclinations.

Dec 24, 2009

Christmas Blues

I started today on a mission. I will not get the Christmas Blues.

What are the Christmas Blues you ask? A unique phenomena affecting Jewish people in largely Christian communities. Every December 24 to 25 you're suddenly isolated. Your friends are all busy, stores are closed, the only music you hear is Christmas-themed...even restaurants are closed (aside from Asian establishments - bless you China King). Homework assignment: ask any one of your Jewish friends what they do on Christmas and they will undoubtedly tell you that they go to a movie and eat Chinese food - it's all we're left with.


Here's a blog excerpt from Jvibe.com, a magazine for Jewish teens:  "Oh, I used to think of Christmas Day as the culmination of the entire depressing Christmas season. But you know that on December 25th, when the rest of your town shuts down and puts up blinking lights, the Chinese restaurants are going to be open. And in those Chinese restaurants, there will be Jews. Lots of Jews [...] You're just out at the bookshop for some enjoyable downtime browsing and then up come the strains of Christmas music. I never expect it the first time each year, but my beautiful classical music has been tossed in favor of some classic Christmas song that echoes in my head as, "Jesus and Santa and Rudolph and everyone else celebrates Christmas except for you."

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas...the lights, the cookies, the holiday cards plastered across our fridge. I just wish I had an equivalent celebration. My parents did a great job making Hanukkah a magical occasion for Dan and me when we were younger, and always surrounded us with people of our faith. That said, we never got school off, and even now I have to take a personal day on Jewish holidays. As an adult, it's harder to get jazzed up about a holiday that no one around you understands or celebrates.

The factors above have somehow conditioned me to feel a sense of dread for the Christmas season, culminating with Christmas Eve. I always feel like I'm missing out on something. But, like I said, this year my mission was to combat the loneliness and make the most of the holiday.

Jim does a great job of celebrating Hanukkah with me, and when Christmas comes, we spend the day taking part in his family's traditions. Our own blend of celebrating spans about three weeks and is affectionately deemed Chrismukkah.

Today I left work around 1:30 and instead of going home to mope, I remembered my mission and decided to take Bruno to the PetSmart Dog Park at Washington Park. After that I went for a hike, got a haircut and made dinner. Jim and I made a Christmas cake and watched a movie and the entire time I was concerned that he wasn't having a traditional or festive enough Christmas Eve. After we talked about it I realized that there's actually no standard for what you need to do on a holiday (or it's eve).

Right now I'm laying on the couch while Jim and Dave are playing video games. Every few minutes I call out the number of minutes left until Christmas (nine right now). Everyone's happy - despite our lack of participation in any type of holiday activity.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that regardless of which holidays you celebrate, make the most of them. Don't compare or set standards or expectations, just surround yourself with people you love and appreciate just being together. I think that's more important than Christmas trees or menorahs or any kind of cookie.
C5VJS9SY72J5

C is for Cookie

Tis the season...


Dec 12, 2009

puppies!

I think you'd have to be a circus freak not to love puppies.

SERIOUSLY.


These fuzzy-cuddly-squeaky-squirmy little packages of joy are proof that overall - life is good. In fact, puppies are going quite mainstream lately. Evidence below:

Example One: The Puppy Bowl. I stumbled across this joy fest last year and almost passed out with glee. It's like the world has finally evened the score for those of us who don't like football. Set your DVR to record it on Super Bowl Sunday. You will not be disappointed.

The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet. Shown the afternoon of the Super Bowl, the show usually consists of footage of a batch of puppies at play inside a model stadium with commentary on their actions by the late Harry Kalas - a narrator for NFL Films and longtime play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies. The first Puppy Bowl was shown on February 6, 2005. The puppies featured in the Puppy Bowl are from shelters, and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter. The bowl seems to have an age limit of four months, so there have been no recurring players."

Example Two: Chapman University puppy therapy. 

Why oh why did ASU not initiate this when I was in college. This is the best.idea.ever. I think this concept could be mimicked at international peace summits. Think about it, if all the leaders in the middle east sat down over chocolate milk and french fries and played with puppies for a few hours, it's clear we'd be a little closer to harmony.

A Chapman University student group wanted to find a way to relieve stress during finals week, so it came up with an innovative approach: puppies. On Wednesday, in the middle of "cram week," a bunch of puppies will be stationed outside the university library for students to pet and play with. The event, called "Furry Friends for Finals," is being organized by the university's Active Minds club, which promotes mental awareness.

As the proud owner of two puppies, I can easily vouch for their ability to create large amounts of joy. Even when they destroy my clothing, property and personal finances, I still love them to death. They are the lights of my life.


The next time you're feeling sad or stressed, or just losing faith in humanity, text me and I'll bring a puppy over - free therapy.



Dec 7, 2009

jim may hate me for writing this.

Jim and I started dating almost three years ago. During our entire courtship (I refuse to call it anything else) he's been with the same company, while I've transitioned through several jobs and one unfortunate-yet-miraculous layoff.


For the majority of our time together, we've been challenged by having different work schedules and different days off. And this whole time I've gotten sad looks and admonishing comments from others that our situation must be so hard. "How can you guys DO that?"

Ok. You're right. It is hard. Sometimes it totally sucks. But it certainly doesn't make it hard to stay in love. In fact, I think that when your time together has restrictions, it makes the hours together even more worthwhile. Don't get me wrong - I'd give almost anything to magically align our work lives and have him home with me on weekends, or be home with him during the week, and goodness knows it would make it easier to plan vacations, but I think that on some level this challenge has made us a stronger couple.

As a closeted attention seeker, this situation has forced me to discover my independence, cultivate relationships with a wealth of people and  have a lot of adventures. I've explored things and engaged in activities that I never would have tried if I hadn't been pushed out of the nest, perse.

Let's get to the reason behind this random outpouring of insight, shall we?

This holiday season at work we're collecting donations for Packages From Home.

"The mission of Packages From Home is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans."

They even send care packages to K-9 military units overseas. Does it get any more warm and fuzzy?

People at work have become so motivated by this drive that they're forgoing gift-buying for their friends and families and instead using gift funds to support this cause.

Collecting stuff for our drive made me realize that even if Jim and I never have the same work schedule, I'd never, ever trade our situation for those of couples separated by military deployment. Or couples suffering from health issues, financial problems, family strife or any number of issues. Jim may work Saturdays, but at least I know that we're going to bed together every night.

The most important and continuously emphasized lesson I've been taught by my dad is to always, always, always maintain perspective. Don't lose your sense of reality and your place in the world when things don't go your way. And don't take anything for granted because who knows what tomorrow holds.

You can't always get what you want, so you've gotta make the most with what you've got.

(Is that last line a U2 song...)?

Dec 6, 2009

holiday shopping

Today I decided that I could no longer procrastinate; I had to start my holiday shopping. I started at PetSmart, because yes, the puppies get presents. I was pleased at how calm the store environment was, despite predicted holiday craziness. My only obstacle was Santa trying to get me to pose for a picture with him. Sorry St. Nick - that's not my style.


Next I went to Marshall's where I found a few things. The downside of this stop? It was mayhem in the store. Insanity. Chaos. Martial law.

I managed to hold it together as I waited in the line that was easily 30 people deep. The woman who got into line behind me was about 65 years old. She had her little white dog in the shopping cart who I came to know as Winston.

Obviously I'm a dog person. Obviously. But I'm a stickler when it comes to bringing your dog into inappropriate places. Largely because people with small dogs get away with this while large dog owners don't have a prayer. Well this woman seemed to think it was totally fine to A) talk to herself loudly amid crowds of shoppers, and B) tote Winston into the store with her.

Store Manager: Ma'am, is that a service dog?
Wiston's Mom: Well, no, I mean he does serve me.
Store Manager: I need you to take him outside. We sell food in this store, only serice animals are allowed. Go put him in your car.
Winston's Mom: But...I only need to return something. Just one thing it's too big I bought it last night.
Store Manager: Yes well you need to take him outside immediately.
Winston's Mom: What? No. I don't understand I just need to return something. Winston will get anxious in the car.

*She leaves to put the dog in the car, only after asking everyone else to note her place in line. After she returns she waits in line still talking to herself about the atrocity she just fell victim to. After a few minutes, the entire line is equally annoyed with this lady. Then, the icing on the cake appears as Winston's Mom starts walking along the line of people waiting to pay, waving her receipt, and begins this diatribe:

Winston's Mom: Hello? I'm sorry, my dog Winston is in the car and he's very anxious, he could get stolen. I don't know why they're forcing me to wait here I JUST HAVE TO RETURN ONE THING. Is it alright if I cut in front?

Note - no one says yes, yet she pushes her way to the front of the line to complete her transaction. The moment that made it all worthwhile was when a fellow shopper turned to her and said, "you know, my kids are in the car and you don't hear me having a fit."

At this point I'm cranky. I finish waiting to pay then leave the store. I head to the PGA Tour Shop in Scottsdale to look for things for the aspiring golfer in the household.

My experience at the PGA store was as positive as the Marshall's experience was negative. I met Leonard, a store associate who was easily in his late seventies. He was charming, patient and dedicated to my cause.

Overall - a good day, it's just hard to believe how this season affects people. I worked retail for many years and have been on both sides of the hubbub. For me, the hardest part of the holidays is not hitting pedestrians in parking lots or going mad from Christmas carols. For now I'll I try to drone them out by humming 'Dreidel, Dreidel.'

Dec 3, 2009

little nugget o' inspiration

So you failed. Alright, you really failed. 

You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. 

You wanna be really great? 

Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. 

Make them wonder why you're still smiling. 

Nov 29, 2009

quoteworthy

I stole an idea from my brother and gave all my friends an assignment this Thanksgiving. I wanted everyone to keep an ear out for any obscene or unusual one-liners spoken by the people they were celebrating with, and to then e-mail them to me.


I had an overwhelming outpouring of submissions, and have to share a portion of them. Please note these comments are taken completely out of context, so no judgment shall be passed on these poor saps who we're now exploiting.

"Wait, so all female chickens lay eggs?" "Yes, and all female humans."

"How come when she talks about pigeons it's cool but not when i talk about goats?" "Because she never cut a pigeon's balls off."

"I'm just giving the turkey a douche."

"I feel like I'm holding a cold pooch."

"He just gets a look in his eye, I can't describe it. It's only every few days that I'll catch it and it's much easier for both of us. No pressure for him."

"I want to regurgitate every time I think about the fact that my mom made salmon loaf."

"Don't those gay men like the theater and stuff like that?"

"Lady Gaga is a man...he would love to help stuff this turkey."

"I have uncomfortable shoes."

"I used to think I was a conservative until I started conting up how many sexual partners I've had."

So, just in case you thought you had an especially awkward or inappropriate family, just remember the majority of us are in the same boat. Thanks everybody for participating - round two starts this Christmas Eve.

Nov 28, 2009

apple of my eye

My favorite dessert is apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Sadly, I don't have the time or caloric allowance to enjoy this as often as I'd like. I've figured out an easy way to create almost the same result with much less effort and calories.

step one: butter a small baking dish
step two: slice a few apples into very thin slices (you can add in pears, berries, etc)
step three: toss sliced fruit in some brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon and some softened butter. I don't measure, just use fairly even amounts and make sure it coats the fruit.
step four: bake at 375 for 25 minutes; serve a la mode.



You can make this for one person or for a group, just increase recipe accordingly. Enjoy!

Nov 23, 2009

weekend wanderings

This weekend Nicki and I started out at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market...


You can get so much cool stuff, all locally grown and super cheap. I picked up an acorn squash, a bag of potatoes and some zucchini all for about $3.

After the market we stopped by my friend/neighbor Emily's art show. Emily is an inspiration - she makes beautiful jewelry and pieces of art out of recycled tin. She combines the coolest things that you'd never think to put together and the result is amazing. She's also quite entertaining to have a glass of wine with :-) Emily - I love your house, and I hope to take advantage of your backyard sometime soon!
 

Nov 22, 2009

easy veggie lasagna

I improvised a few recipes and ended up with the best lasagna I've ever made. Really light and lots of flavor.


Sauce: Saute one chopped onion, one chopped zucchini, some chopped mushrooms and a few cloves of minced garlic in olive oil. After veggies are soft, add on can of diced tomatoes (don't drain it). Add some basil and oregano, salt and pepper.

Filling:
Mix one 15 ounce container of ricotta chesse with one beaten egg and one quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese; set aside. You'll also need some shredded or sliced mozzarella but don't add this to the mixture.

Noodles:
I used regular whole wheat lasagna noodles from Fry's. You can use regular if you prefer. I boil them with some salt in the water so they don't stick together. You only need about eight noodles.

Once all ingredients are prepared, layer in this order in a two quart baking dish: sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella. Repeat until everything's used up. Cook at 375 for 25 minutes. Let sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Nov 17, 2009

Peter Bregman

My brother has a mancrush on Peter Bregman. Yeah bro, I just called you out. 

To the untrained eye PB may look like just a regular guy, but dig deeper and you'll discover that he is so much more. Take a closer look at Mr. Bregman and you'll see that he is the epitome of cool. He exudes charisma. He bleeds authenticity.
 

Dan's been pushing this guys writing and business blog on anyone who'll listen, and for a while, I ignored it as a fleeting soapbox. When the enthusiasm refused to wane, I finally took the plunge and checked out some of his stuff. It's fantastic. I'm drinking the PB Kool-Aid. Cheers, Dan.
 

The guy is a brilliant professional. His weekly blog discusses common workplace obstacles in an effort to simplify and resolve them. His writing style is so humble and authentic that it's hard not to relate to him. The irony is that all of his business advice can also be applied to ordinary person to person situations.
 

Check out his work when you have a chance, it'll wow you. I have to believe that this is not the only time I'll be giving a shout out to PB in this blog. Just tonight I found my self fist bumping the air after he summarized an idea I've always believed in:

Anyone can do anything as long as three conditions exist:
  1. You want to achieve it
  2. You believe you can achieve it
  3. You enjoy trying to achieve it

Nov 15, 2009

the little jessie that could

I recently met up with an old friend and spent the evening catching up. When I mentioned my upcoming plans to run a ten-mile race he really wanted to know why I was doing this. His questions weren't out of contempt - he just  wanted to understand my motivation.

I gave a textbook answer; running was good for my health. This satisfied his curiosity but I felt like it was artificial. Aaaaannd I sounded lame. I thought about it all week, hoping I could figure out a better (and cooler) reason for why I was taking this on. 

*five days later*

This morning I ran my ten-miler. As I crossed the finish line I was in shock (and a fair amount of pain). Along every mile I'd been asking myself why on earth I signed up for this nonsense. Then suddenly it dawned on me.


I did this because I didn't think that I could.  And that's an awesome feeling.

 In my entire life I'd never run more than four miles before training for this race. I figured that if I attempted and failed, no one would be surprised. But, on the off chance I could pull it off, I'd totally increase my badassness.

I can't pinpoint a specific moment or event where this change of heart took place. My first thought is that it happened because I'm at a very good and settled point in life and wanted to shake things up. I wouldn't change a thing about my life and I am extremely happy, but I think that as soon as I feel too stagnant I want to rock the boat just a little. I've always felt that while it's a blessing to be content, it can be dangerous to become complacent.

I know another part of my motivation comes from having completely amazing parents. My parents have always believed in me, and more importantly, they've taught me to believe in myself. Nauseatingly corny? Very. Am I grateful? Beyond.

Even after living on my own for the past eight years, I'm still thankful that I was taught at an early age to challenge myself and try new things. Aside from the assurance that I'll never be bored, this mentality has helped me build confidence and succeed. Thanks Mom and Dad for your love and support!

Nov 12, 2009

attic rat - follow up

Well, all the Web sites were right, just wait ten days and the smell is gone. It's sick to think about a decomposing rodent in the attic but I figure soon enough I'll forget about it. My favorite realtor found a way to bring a little humor to the situation...


Nov 9, 2009

latest adventure in owning a house

Last week Jim and I noticed a bad smell in the hallway by our water heater. It seemed to come and go so at first we tried to ignore it and blame it on the dogs. Then it started to get really bad.


Jim was concerned that we might have a gas leak, so he and his dad set to work making sure we didn't. I had no idea that spraying soap bubbles on a gas line can reveal a potential leak. Fortunately, that wasn't the issue. My mom told me you can also spray soap bubble on a tire to find the leak. Who knew?

Our investigation and the increasing odor let us to an anonymous conclusion: dead rodent.  Where was it? In the attic. Somehow. The little bastard must've climbed through our roof vent and then tragically died when he couldn't escape. I feel terrible that a creature met it's death in our home, but he didn't knock when he came in.

The miserable task of exploring the attic for the carcass fell on Jim's shoulders. Mainly because I'm a girl and that's a blue chore, not a pink chore. Poor guy was up in the nasty crawl space for 45 minutes and couldn't locate the source of the smell amid all the insulation. He did, however, find a dog Kong toy. it wasn't ours, and how that got up in our attic is a mystery to me.

Today I googled 'dead rat in attic' and was floored at how many sites came up. No one had surefire solutions but at least I learned we're not alone. Moral of the story? Jim is a good sport and scented candles are a must.

Nov 8, 2009

pitbulls - i got your back

Below is a recent entry about pitbulls from a Newsweek blog I love, The Human Condition. I kind of get on a soapbox about this issue because it's so grossly misunderstood. These dogs do have a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs and small animals when not properly trained and socialized, it's what they were originally bred for, but recent research and studies of breed behavior found pitbulls more docile with people than Golden Retrievers...and that a majority of reported incidents (to home owners insurance, doctors, etc) are incorrectly reported.

There are more than 25 breeds that resemble pits so they often get the rap for what others do. I first started learning about the issues facing the breed when we adopted Molly this summer. She's a pit mix and is the most gentle loving dog I've ever known. It broke my heart to see that easily 70 percent of the dogs we saw in shelters were pits or pit mixes. These dogs don't deserve to be abandoned to shelters because owners don't take the responsibility to care for them. These dogs are as mis-stereotyped as it gets. After you read this, go to this site for a visual: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html.

Newsweek

The Pit-Bull Problem

America's most-maligned dog wants to be sweet and docile, but well-meaning humans mess it all up.
By Joan Raymond | Newsweek Web Exclusive 
Oct 30, 2009

A 10-acre stretch of land just outside Los Angeles is pit-bull Nirvana. It's called Villalobos Rescue Center and it's run by Tia Maria Torres, an unabashed pit-bull lover. Torres has found homes for thousands of pits since the rescue opened its doors 15 years ago. Some of these animals were abandoned. Some were shelter dogs slated for euthanasia. Others were confiscated in drug busts or fighting rings. And some—like Mouse, a small white pit bull—are victims of nature, the so-called Hurricane Katrina dogs of New Orleans.

It's a 24/7 job, but Torres gets help from a posse of volunteers, her four children, and six ex-cons, who she calls her "pit bulls on legs." Her work is chronicled in a new six-part documentary, Pit Bulls and Parolees, airing on Animal Planet, the first of which premiered on Friday night. You'd have to carry a cold heart to not feel something for what these dogs have endured.

But I have a problem with pit bulls. And it has more to do with the two-legged creatures holding their leashes (if there is a leash).

Because of their sheer numbers—estimates show that there are anywhere from 5 million to 10 million pit-bull-type dogs in the U.S. today, out of about 61 million total dogs—pits have become the dog du jour for a lot of people, not just gangbangers and wannabe thugs who use a pit as proxy for toughness. About 20 percent of dogs in ASPCA shelters are pit mixes.

I've seen those who adopt these dogs for all the wrong reasons. The fearful might get a pit because they want a great guard dog. (Pits make lousy guard dogs. A well-bred pit is just too human-friendly to protect your property.) Some get a pit because Rachael Ray has one and they want to rescue a dog. (Why didn't you take up cooking instead of getting a dog that you know nothing about?) And the trendiest pet owners spend thousands of dollars for a "blue" pit because the dogs are rare. (No, they aren't, and you just got swindled by an unethical breeder who contributed to the overpopulation problem.) But pets aren't purses, and people who jump into pit-bull ownership without the requisite training and education can often do more harm than good. That's why when I see a pit off-leash and I'm walking Turk, my 20-pound schnoodle, I'm scared.

Let's face it: pit bulls are public enemy No. 1. That's quite a comedown for a pup once considered "America's dog." They were owned by the likes of Helen Keller and Teddy Roosevelt, and when I was a kid, a wiry American pit-bull terrier named Sam endured the indignity of being called a "horsy" as he pulled me around in a wagon on an upstate New York farm. But in talking with pit-bull experts, it's clear that some current owners are too easy to spook, are too ill-informed, and have unrealistic expectations of what pit bulls can do.

Torres knows all about the pit bull's people problem. "Oh, my God, I see it all the time," she says. "Some of these people are completely clueless. They get a pit and then they want to get rid of it if it grabs and shakes a toy and barks. They don't understand why it loves everybody, but scraps with dogs. It's insane. And it's hurting the pit bull."

Some of the so-called pit problems are directly linked to the dog's history. Today's pit bull can trace its roots back to bulldogs, which were used for bull baiting, a gruesome spectacle in which the dogs would try to pin a tied bull by latching on to its nose. When bull baiting was outlawed, these bulldogs were then bred with small terriers, feisty dogs known for their drive. The end result was the original pit bull, a "canine gladiator" bred specifically for dog-on-dog combat.

Though the majority of pit bulls today are no longer being purposefully bred along fighting lines, pit bulls still can be dog aggressive (as are many other types of dogs including poodles). How that plays out will vary from pit to pit, and the dogs need a smart owner to keep them in line. Dog aggression can be managed by getting a pit into a training program that offers structured, controlled socialization, says Mary Harwelik, a certified dog trainer and founder of The Real Pit Bull, a pit advocacy and education organization in New Jersey.

Pits are also among the most human-friendly canines. In tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society, which evaluates stability, friendliness, and other traits in several hundred dog breeds, the American pit-bull terrier scored 85.3 percent, higher than a golden retriever. Their human-friendly nature remains strong even in horrific circumstances. "I thought I was going to meet a bunch of Tasmanian devils," says Dr. Frank MacMillan, a veterinarian with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary who is working with some 20 pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels. "I was stunned at how sweet they were."

That inherent sweetness toward people can lead well-meaning humans to be too permissive with their precious pooches. Because of its tendencies toward dog-on-dog aggression, Torres advises pit owners to keep their dogs out of mosh-pit, free-for-all dog parks. "Not a lot of pit owners want to hear that," says Torres. "If there's a fight, no matter what dog started it, the pit will be blamed."

At Villalobos, Torres does an exhaustive interview with potential adopters. She wants to know what kinds of dogs they owned in the past, whether there are kids in the house, if it's a multidog household, if they have a cat, and what they want from their pit. Once they answer those questions, Torres tries to match them up with the right pit bull. "Everybody thinks they want a Ferrari, when they really need a Yugo," she says. "The good thing about a pit is that some of them can be high energy, others just want to watch TV. "

Despite laws in many parts of the country that place restrictions on pit ownership, things might be looking up for the breed. "People are having a lot more empathy for the pit," says Torres. "They understand that this is a great dog that is enduring a lot of hell." If you want to rescue a pit bull, Torres's advice is simple: Make sure the dog is the right one for you, and you are right for it. Get the dog spayed or neutered, obey leash laws and any local regulations, and do ongoing training. That's smart advice for any dog owner, even if you want a yappy Shih Tzu.

Nov 7, 2009

Nov 6, 2009

More Neighborhood Eats

I'm continuing my quest to explore new Phoenix Restaurants. Here are some recent reviews...

Tutti Santi: We went to this Italian place for Katie's birthday and I was impressed. I had eggplant parm and Jim ordered the special, all kinds of seafood in a tasty red sauce. The food was fabulous and all four of us finished our entrees. Actually, both girls finished and the guys were close. It was a little pricey but we had great service and a magician came to entertain us mid way through the meal which made it even more interesting. Occasions to go here? Entertaining older, out of town relatives or when you want a romantic neighborhood feel on a date.

Ticoz: I'd wanted to go to this place for years after learning it features Costa Rican food. While the menu didn't really resemble what I'd eaten in CR, it was really good. I had enchiladas and my dad had tortilla soup and a salad. It was good food and I was impressed they offered sweet tea vodka. Occasions to go here? Happy hour.


Maizies: I've been to Maizies twice and really enjoy it. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat and the food is interesting and somehow always seem to be just what you're in the mood for. Two bonus points: 1) on Mondays you can get a burger and fries for $3 2) the buffalo chicken dip will change your life. The owners of this place also own Fez which I confidently state has the best hamburger I've ever had. Occasions to go here? Whenever you want a laid back dinner, bring your doggie along and feel 'out of Phoenix.'

Fez: Amazing food. The Fez burger is the best hamburger on the planet. And the sweet potato fries come with an icing sauce, unbelievable! Very trendy and a unique menu. Occasions to go here? Weekend lunch date or weekday happy hour.


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